In a message dated 12/15/03 9:35:52 AM, gull@GULL.US writes:

<< Packed snow or ice with a bit of sand
spread on it by the Road Commission is easy to drive on and gives good
traction.

Also, once it gets cold enough that the sun no longer raises the asphalt
above freezing, you don't get the melting/thawing cycles that cause glare
ice.  (This is one reason you don't see salt used as much in really cold
climates -- When it's 10 degrees F out, and likely to dip down to -15 at
night, the last thing you want to do is encourage the snow to temporarily
melt!) >>

Dave,

You have my vote for Pennsylvania Commissioner of Highways.  Our DOT-heads in
Harrisburg seem to think that the only time to resort to anti-skid is after
they have mucked up the roads with salt.  It has come to be that the average
driver in the snow belt of western PA no longer knows how to drive in the white
stuff nor wants to hassle with real winter tires.  They are fooled into
thinking that they have the God-given right to blast along at 65 any time of the
year; the results are predictable.

I came to age hearing tales from former days when Model T's could easily
climb the steepest snow covered hills with their narrow tires cutting through the
snow whereas modern cars were stopped cold.  I also often heard how the older
cars made of thicker metal would outlive the contemporary tin boxes with
regard to rustout.  Instead, I think the ever increasing use of salt might be the
source of that urban myth.

Last year there was mention on the list of one of the states in the Northwest
starting to salt the highways and byways.  I have a Syncro which, in its
former life, lived in Oregon.  Whenever I look at its 13 year old, absolutely
rust-free body, I pity those poor Oregonians who have been living in a fool's
paradise for what is in store for them.  And, I can already see the subject line:
HELP! SEAM RUST!!!

George